101 Ideas: Low-budget decorating with high-style results

Transform your home with these smart shopping tips and money-saving ideas.

Kahi Lee

Transform your home with smart shopping tips and money-saving ideas:

Revisit what you already own. Sandpaper, primer and paint can transform just about any piece of furniture. You can easily change it.

Shop online. There are some great deals to be found. Listings in classifieds often have photos attached, so it's easy to find exactly what you're looking for. Online closeout sites are also a great way to save money.

Learn to sew. Sewing your own drapery, bedding and pillows will save you a ton of cash in the long run.

When choosing a paint color, pick one shade darker or bolder than what you feel is safe. Get out of your comfort zone, and you may be pleasantly surprised. Painting is inexpensive and easy to apply, so experiment.

If you're short on space, purchase multipurpose furniture pieces. If you have the space to do it, pull your sofa off the wall. A nice sofa console placed behind the sofa will give your room more interest and a division of space.

Avoid the catalog look. To personalize your space, buy pieces from different places. For example, pair a new sofa with a really cool, vintage coffee table from a thrift store.

Don't underestimate the power of draped window treatments. Hang your drapery panels wider and higher than the actual dimensions of the window.

Keep your backdrop (walls and furniture) neutral. This is a great tip for those who like to switch up their color schemes with pillows, candles and other small accessories. You can do this as often as you like to suit the time of year or your mood. Neutrals have come a long way, although black, white, gray and beige tones are always good standards. Don't forget about the new neutrals, which are basically the lightest and most muted version of any color.